As a company that specializes in mold and flood restoration services in Ocean County, NJ, we know that mold comes in various kinds and colors that can cause different kinds of problems. We’ve noticed, though, that not all homeowners know this, which is why we wanted to give a short introduction to the most common types of household molds and how to recognize them.
Aspergillus – The Common House Mold
Known as the most common household mold, there are more than 185 kinds of Aspergillus molds and approximately 16 of them cause symptoms in humans that range from respiratory disorders to eye and ear infections. In houses it is most often found in damp walls, but can grow almost anywhere. Different Aspergillus species look different; for example Aspergillus Niger is black on the surface and white or yellow underneath, while Aspergillus Flavus is yellow-green on the surface and gold or red brown underneath. If you find mold in your house, we recommend you immediately ask for help in identifying it.
Cladosporium
There are more than 30 known species of Cladosporium, and many of them cause problems that include skin lesions, asthma, pulmonary infections and more. It’s also among the most common types of mold found indoors as well as outdoors, and it is most often found on living and dead plants as well as on moist surfaces. Like Aspergillus, the different species of Cladosporium range in color and the effects they have, so we recommend that you contact us for help in identifying the specific type of mold and any actions needed to deal with it.
Mucor
Mucor species of mold in homes are most often found in air-conditioning systems and ducting, but they also live in soil, plant surfaces and rotten vegetable matter when the temperature isn’t too high. There are 6 different types of this fast-growing mold, and they usually have thick white to grey growth. They are known to cause zygomycosis, a classification for rare, but potentially life-threatening, infectious diseases.
Stachybotrys
Possibly the most infamous type of mold, Stachybotrys is also known as the ‘toxic black mold.’ They only grow in extremely wet or humid conditions and require weeks, or at least days, to grow. They’re most often found growing on high cellulose material like wood, wicker, cardboard and so on. These molds cause a poor indoor air quality that can cause symptoms like coughs, nose bleeds, fever, headache and fatigue.
For more information on how we can help with any mold issue you might be facing, contact our office today!